Pine pollen has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where it is considered a tonic for vitality, energy, and longevity. Historically, practitioners have used pine pollen to support overall health and to address symptoms associated with fatigue or low energy. The traditional rationale is that pine pollen contains a variety of nutrients—such as amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and phytohormones (notably, small amounts of plant-derived testosterone and other androgens)—which are thought to nourish the body and enhance energy levels.

While these traditional uses are well-documented, modern scientific research specifically examining pine pollen for "energy" or fatigue is limited. Most available studies focus on its antioxidant properties, nutritional profile, and potential hormone-modulating effects, but do not directly assess its impact on subjective or objective measures of energy in humans. There are some animal studies suggesting possible adaptogenic or anti-fatigue effects, but evidence in humans is lacking. Thus, the use of pine pollen to support energy is justified primarily by tradition, with limited scientific validation at this time.